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How to Fly a Rokkaku Kite

Japanese rokkaku kites are squat, six-sided kites used primarily for sport. The rokkaku kite is a battle kite, designed to fly without a tail, and can be maneuvered to knock other kites out of the air. Battles are done by individuals or organized teams. Once the kites are in the air, the signal is given and the battle begins. The outcome of your battle depends on how you fly your kite. There are three basic techniques used in rokkaku kite flying: cutting, tipping, and wind blocking.

Instructions

Cutting
- 1
  Position your kite near your opponent. Keep your line taut and pull your kite toward your opponent.
- 2
  Put your line in direct contact with your opponent's line. Make sure your kite is moving faster than your opponent's. The faster kite creates more friction and is more likely to sever the slower kite's line.
- 3
  Pump your line with your hand and create a sawing motion on your opponent's line to create enough friction to snap it.
Tipping
- 4
  Position your kite below your opponent's kite. Pull your kite toward your opponent's line.
- 5
  Snag your opponent's line on the uppermost corners of your kite.
- 6
  Change the direction of your kite. The snag will take the tension off of their kite, upending it and causing it to crash.
Blocking
- 7
  Position your rokkaku kite in front of, or behind, your opponent's.
- 8
  Observe the direction the wind is taking your kite.
- 9
  Use your kite to cut off the wind that is keeping your opponent aloft.

Aviation